posted on November 10, 2002 11:11:56 AM
I'm having an ongoing e-mail exchange with a high bidder who didn't pay. I'm wondering what you all would do in this situation. Here's the story; I'll try to keep it brief!
She was the high bidder on a pair of cowboy boots ($28). I sent at least 3 WBN's and didn't hear a thing back. So, about 8 days after the auction, I wrote her a note saying that if I didn't hear from her in the next couple of days, I would offer the item to the second highest bidder. So 2 days later, I offered it to him with a second chance offer. He took the offer (and paid VERY promptly).
Two days after that (about 12 days after auction close), I filed NPB and left negative feedback for first bidder. It was very matter-of-fact: "no response or payment after 12 days."
Then I get a note from the bidder. She has been very polite, but seemed to first claim I didn't get her e-mails. Then later claimed she didn't get mine.
We have had no problem getting e-mails through either direction since then!
I left a followup to my negative feedback (as she asked) something like "bidder was having e-mail problems."
Finally I filed the FVF credit, why shouldn't I since she hadn't paid me. Now she wants me to retract that since getting the non-paying bidder warning made her nervous. She offered to split the final value fee with me. She's still being fairly polite.
I have been trying to explain to her that the warning is only known to eBay, sent her link to FAQ about NPB's, etc. I also told her nicely that in the future, if she doesn't hear from a seller - she should try to get in touch with him/her.
I guess I'm still a little nervous that she will leave negative feedback, though I don't know what she will say that won't discredit her.
By the way, item number is 970210775, if you care to look!
posted on November 10, 2002 11:44:40 AM
Thanks for your response; you've helped me to think about this from the bidder's point of view. Was I too hasty in selling the item to someone else?
I definitely have to clarify in my auction listings that I expect a response in 3 days - not a payment but just a response. Does that seem reasonable? When it has been over a week and I haven't heard a word from a buyer, I am ready to find another buyer.
I do send out several WBN's in a week because they can get lost, or deleted, etc.
We are doing eBay auctions as a school fundraiser so that is my motivation - to get the money for the school and to not have my basement cluttered up with items awaiting payment.
I am willing to give this bidder the benefit of the doubt - though I'm not sure I believe her. But, is it my duty to retract the final value fee credit when the sale was never completed?
posted on November 10, 2002 09:45:52 PM
I do not think that you were being too hasty. Ebay states that the buyer/seller should contact each other within 3 days of EOA. There is even a link in the "Items Sold" section that you can click on after 3 days to remind the buyer to confirm the EOA. I send out a reminder after 3 days too. If I have not received any response from them after 7 days, I file a NPB alert. If no response then I email them and inform them that the sale has been cancelled and that they are on my blocked bidders list. The end. If they have time to bid on an auction then they have time to respond to the end of auction notice. I have been selling for over 2 years with over 2000 feedbacks and have only received 2 negs, one for filing for FVF's and leaving a neg after as the buyer said "this seller is quick to leave a neg after only 2 weeks from the EOA notice". As they say, "lights on but no one is home". You had every right to make a second offer. I use to wait longer than 7 days and usually by that time the second high bidder already purchased something else like it or was no longer interested. Suzyq
posted on November 10, 2002 11:57:47 PM
I have to agree with suzyq and I looked at the auction and the feedback of the buyer, I think the elevator does not go all the way to the top and she has racked up a neg after yours. I got tired of dancing with bidders I have a straight forward policy on winning bidders.
I also looked at the seller that your bidder got the neg from oh that seller is a real sweatheart he has 9 negs of 8 in the last 6 months and most of his bidders have complained about no emails, no contact paid for item or refund.
[ edited by LuckyGiftsandTreasures on Nov 11, 2002 12:08 AM ]
posted on November 12, 2002 10:25:23 PM
yes4less>> I don't think you were too hasty at all. My feeling is that if someone has the time to bid, and they really care about that bid, then they'll know when the auction ends and they should make themselves available. How much you want to bet that if you hadn't send the NPB, you would still be waiting for some word?
Don't sweat it. You gave them ample opportunity, you filed the NPB and FVF because you have to take care of yourself, now it's time to move on. If they leave you a negative (which I feel is unwarranted, but their right as a winning bidder in the eyes of eBay), then chalk it up as the price of doing business.
"Who's tending the bar? Sniping works up a thirst"
Sniping works up a thirst"